In under a year SCM Studios and 323 East Gallery has activated seven vacant storefronts in Downtown Detroit with dozens of curated installations through a grassroots public art project.
Two of those buildings have since been sold, the others we will continue to curate until occupied.
From left to right, we are currently showing works by Tristan Eaton, TrustoCorp, AVONE and Ron English in what was formerly the Michigan National Bank.
Woodward Windows is our pilot project and we’re working to expand into what I like to call Sprawl Art, a public art initiative that activates vacancies throughout Detroit City.
Arguably, one of the most important contemporary artists of our time, Ron English.
These windows, located on the West side of Woodward Avenue just north of Clifford, are a selection of some of NY’s finest. Tristan Eaton pictured on the left, TrustoCorp on the right.
The prolific AVONE.
The building wraps around the block onto Clifford where we have (from left to right) two pieces from The Tenderloin Project, the first being a collab with Mike Giant and the second with Benny Gold, Sean Desmond, and Jason Vaughn. Sean Desmond and The Tenderloin Project give us a glimpse at San Francisco’s most marginalized neighborhood. Along side Detroit photographer Jason Vaughn I feel the series shows a parallel between two places that have been written off by the general public.
The series doesn’t just show the crushing blows each place has endured but moments of hope and the power of a dream. Tenderloin Project: Sean Desmond x Mike Giant
Tenderloin Project: Sean Desmond x Benny Gold
Jason Vaughn, is building a great following through his Detroit editorial and commercial photography.
Chris Turner and Dave Krieger, two Detroit legends collaborated on this dynamic installation.
Matthew Eaton, who is one of Detroit’s greatest assets, gives you a taste of what he’s capable of in one of but many mediums he works in.
Right next door, in the vacant Athlete’s Foot building, we have works by Meca, Tom Thewes (not pictured) and Beau Stanton.
Meca (shown above) stepped away from his prolific aerosol work and created this oil painting that really portrays the City’s motto: From Ashes We Rise.
Beau Stanton is an artist currently working out of Brooklyn, who’s spent some time with us and has really fallen in love with our city. It was really exciting to see him incorporate Detroit elements into this piece. High fives for anyone who knows what imagery I’m talking about.
Tom Thewes‘s piece will be hung in the next week or so between Beau and Meca following suit with a Detroit theme.
Gregory Holm created several audio/visual installations in two adjacent store fronts and above those spaces activating the entire facade. We’re excited to share his work with you through our video series as its the best way we can communicate his talents. He along with many others we’ve worked with over the past year will share insights on their work, their process, as well as thoughts about Detroit and what significance it may have to creatives around the globe.
Woodward Window artists include: (in chronological order) Fel3000Ft, Kobie Solomon, Malt, Sintex, Amy Kaherl, Shauna Ruttan, Lauren Rassel, Vanessa Miller, [WW served as a venue for installations for the Inaugural Detroit Design Festival. Designers: Detroit Fashion Collective (showcased work by Adriana Pavon, Sarah Lapinski and Emily Thornhill), Marc Couillais, Thick Air Studios.] Ellis G, Kimyon Huggins, icon, Hygienic Dress League.
Lastly, local street artist Eno Laget added some “Detroit seasoning” to one of the boarded up, and busted out windows of the Michigan National Bank. His work will be posted soon and we’ll spend some more time with him as he enlightens the public with pieces of Detroit’s most iconic figures that are hiding in plain sight.
We’re just getting started, and this will be an exciting year. Make sure to check back in as you’ll get to learn more about these artists through our blog posts and upcoming video series to debut next month.
Photo Credits: Tyler Shick & John B
